Erdogan Hosts Trump and NATO Leaders in Ankara Summit

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed US President Donald Trump to Ankara on Tuesday with a lavish "A+" official ceremony at the Bestepe Presidential Compound. The reception featured a 21-gun salute, cavalry units, and a flypast by the Turkish Stars aerobatic team. Trump, only the second head of state to receive such a welcome, greeted the Presidential Guard in Turkish and described his "very special relationship" with Erdogan.

Following the ceremony, President Erdogan and First Lady Emine Erdogan hosted a state dinner for leaders from the 32-member alliance and four Asia-Pacific partners, including Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea. The 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit serves as a forum for leaders to address military modernization, defense spending targets, Europe's defense capacity, and ongoing support for Ukraine.

Prior to the evening reception, President Erdogan conducted bilateral meetings with Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb. President Erdogan is scheduled to deliver the opening speech for the summit on Wednesday.